Introduction

About one in four people are thought to have bad breath (halitosis) on a regular basis.

What causes bad breath?

There are a number of things that can cause bad breath. It's usually the result of poor oral hygiene. If bacteria build up in your mouth, the toxins produced can cause your breath to smell.

Bacteria break down pieces of food in the mouth, and may release an unpleasant-smelling gas. Any food trapped on your teeth – particularly between them – is broken down by bacteria, which may cause bad breath.

Persistent bad breath can sometimes be a sign of gum disease. Eating strongly flavoured foods, such as onions and garlic, can also cause your breath to smell, as can smoking and drinking alcohol.

Occasionally, bad breath can occur after an infection or illness, or as a result of taking certain types of medication.

When to seek medical advice

See your dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist first if you still have bad breath after making changes to improve your dental hygiene.

You may also need to visit your GP as there may be a medical cause that needs to be investigated.

Don't try to hide the smell of your breath when seeking medical advice as it may make it more difficult to find out what's causing the problem.

Do I have bad breath?

It's not always easy to tell if you have bad breath. Other people may notice it first, but they could feel uncomfortable telling you.

A simple test to find out whether you have bad breath is to lick the inside of your wrist with the back of your tongue and wait a few seconds until the saliva dries. If your wrist smells unpleasant, it's likely your breath does, too.